Alnwick & the Gardens of Northumberland

This morning, we meet our guide, Peter Harrison, at Dublin Airport before our flight to Newcastle. On arrival, we travel to the magnificent Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens, now cared for by English Heritage. For more than seven centuries, however, the estate was the home of the Middleton family.
Inspired by the classical temples of ancient Greece, Belsay Hall is surrounded by extensive grounds combining formal and informal gardens. One of the highlights is the spectacular Quarry Garden, where dramatic stone landscapes provide a striking setting for an impressive collection of exotic plants.
 

This afternoon, we visit the historic gardens of Whalton Manor House, where three acres of beautiful walled gardens surround the house and feature a number of architectural gems designed by Lutyens.
Developed by the Norton family since the 1920s, the gardens are a delightful blend of formal and informal planting. Highlights include extensive herbaceous borders, spring bulbs, a peony border, rose garden, listed summerhouses, pergolas and ancient walls festooned with rambling roses and clematis.

Following our visit, we travel to our hotel, where we enjoy an included evening meal together.
 

After a leisurely breakfast, we set off to visit the delightful Bide-a-Wee Cottage Garden, created within a disused quarry and extending over two acres.
Set amidst the beautiful Northumberland countryside, this charming garden features an impressive variety of perennials, shrubs, grasses and ferns, thoughtfully planted to create a harmonious combination of formal and informal areas.
 

This afternoon, we visit magnificent Alnwick Castle & Gardens, often described as the ‘Windsor of the North’. The castle has been the home of the Duke of Northumberland’s family for more than 700 years.
The extensive 42-acre gardens offer an array of memorable highlights, including the intriguing Poison Garden, Bamboo Labyrinth, iconic Grand Cascade, Serpent Garden, Rose Garden and the impressive 12-acre Walled Garden.
 

This morning, enjoy some free time to explore Newcastle at your own pace, perhaps discovering the city’s historic streets, shops and riverside attractions.

This afternoon, we visit Bichfield Tower, where six acres of mature gardens surround a historic medieval pele tower.
The gardens feature an impressive stone water feature, a large trout lake, mature woodland, a pear orchard and two walled gardens. Throughout the grounds, extensive herbaceous and rose borders combine with contemporary grass planting to create a varied and captivating landscape.
 

Our final garden visit of the day is to Lambshield, a beautiful country garden designed by Emma Fenwick.
Covering more than three acres, the garden is divided into a series of distinctive areas and planting styles. Highlights include formal herbaceous borders, ornamental grasses, contemporary planting, a charming cottage garden, pool and orchard.
 

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and travel to the National Trust’s Wallington Garden. Much loved for its year-round colour and tranquillity, the garden is particularly renowned for its Walled Garden, which was originally the kitchen garden serving the estate.
We enter through Neptune’s Gate before descending the elegant stone staircase, passing the Mary Pool and continuing through the colourful borders. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and varied planting.
 

This afternoon, we visit the beautiful gardens of Capheaton Hall, set within parkland and offering magnificent views across the Northumberland countryside.
Formal ponds lie to the south of the house, while the outstanding working walled garden features colourful vegetables, fruit and perennial flowering borders, providing a delightful combination of beauty and productivity.

Following our visit, we continue to Newcastle Airport for our early evening flight back to Dublin